List of Top Homeland Security Schools in the U.S.

Find out what makes the top schools with programs in homeland security stand out. Learn about school rankings, special program offerings and program requirements at these schools so that you can make an informed decision.

Homeland Security School Overviews

The two best schools with homeland security programs are located in the large metropolitan areas of Los Angeles and New Orleans. At the University of Southern California - Los Angeles, students can earn a bachelor's or master's degree in homeland security that includes courses offered through a federally-funded homeland security program. At Tulane University, students can earn a bachelor's degree in homeland security with a focus on transportation security.

1. University of Southern California in Los Angeles

The University of Southern California (USC) was ranked 23rd on the 2011 list of top national universities published by U.S. News & World Report. USC hosts the National Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events (CREATE), a research institution funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Through partnerships with other research centers across the nation, CREATE develops risk and economics modeling as a guidance tool for counter-terrorism responses and policies.

USC's School of Policy, Planning and Development offers a Master of Public Policy program with core courses in policy analysis, leadership and development economics. Of the program's 48 course units, 12 are devoted to specializations, such as homeland security, education, health or media policies. Courses in the homeland security specialization, offered by CREATE, include risk analysis, human behavior, international conflicts and decision modeling.

2. Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana

Tulane University was 51st on U.S. News & World Report's 2011 ranking of the best national universities. Tulane offers bachelor's degree and minor programs in homeland security studies, in addition to a post-baccalaureate certificate program in the field. Students in the homeland security studies major are educated in the theory and assessment of the two primary areas of national threats - disasters and terrorism. Since New Orleans is an international port and a national rail juncture, the program is focused on the security of maritime and transportation networks. The Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security program is offered by the School of Continuing Studies. Some of the required courses, including English composition and economics, are available online. Course topics include history of the Middle East, cyber security, emergency management and constitutional law.

List of Good Schools with Homeland Security Programs

School Name

Distinction

Location

George Washington University

The Master of Professional Studies in Security and Safety Leadership program is available on campus and online

Washington, D.C.

Missouri State University

The interdisciplinary M.S. in Administrative Studies program, offered through the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, has a homeland security and defense track

Springfield, MO

Pennsylvania State University - World Campus

The online Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security offers four areas of concentration: agricultural biosecurity, geospatial intelligence, information security and forensics, and public health preparedness

University Park, PA

San Diego State University

The M.S. in Homeland Security program has a study abroad requirement, which can be tailored for full- and part-time students, including those who may be balancing employment, too

San Diego, CA

Towson University

The M.S. in Integrated Homeland Security Management program requires a final project for a related company or agency

Towson, MD

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The school's Illinois Fire Service Institute conducts homeland security-related research and offers National Incident Management System (NIMS) courses as part of its mission

Champaign, IL

University of Maryland - University College

Offers a homeland security management track through its online M.S. in Management program

The school offers Federal Emergency Management Agency-approved training courses to first responders, in partnership with the Joint Interagency Training Education Center, along with the West Virginia National Guard and the Transportation Security Administration

Morgantown, WV

Western Kentucky University

Students in the graduate homeland security sciences program have access to specialized research centers, including the Cyber Defense Laboratory, the Advanced Materials Institute and the Biotechnology Center